Karim Benzema's lawyer has denied allegations the Real Madrid forward had sexual relations with an under-age prostitute as reports continue to rage over a sex scandal concerning several France internationals.

Despite the negative reaction in a few quarters to my suggestion last week that the Heineken semi-finals ought to have been staged in far bigger stadiums, the evidence mounts of huge successes for clubs who have boldly taken ordinary club games to larger venues.

Holders Barcelona will face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in a re-run of the 2006 final - and sporting director Txiki Beguiristain does not expect either side to curb their attacking instincts.